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Mid-Infrared Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser
Patent No. 7,469,001
Background: The vast majority of semiconductor lasers are diode lasers that
rely on passing an electrical current through the layered semiconductor
structure to create the electrons and holes that are needed for laser action.
In order to accomplish this, diodes must include layers, which are doped
either positive or negative. In contrast, the optically pumped semiconductor
laser (OPSEL) is fundamentally different in that it does not require the
presence of doped layers for operation. Also, the substrate materials must
be transparent to the pump laser wavelengths. This leads to a simplified
layered structure in which the active layer has very weak index guiding.
For information about this
technology, please contact:
Jeff Abbott
520-743-6878
[email protected]
Technology Description: AFRL has developed a waveguide mode isolation
layer added between the active region and the heat sink bonding material
of an optically pumped semiconductor laser, which isolates the optical
mode from the bonding material.
Market Applications:
- Infrared countermeasures
- Free-space optical communication
- Remote sensing
- Laser marking
- Medical applications
Key Advantage:
- Less reduction in power output
- Effective protection of device over large operational temperature
range
- Heat generated in active region is easily conducted to the heat sink
Key Words: Optically Pumped Semiconductor Lasers, Waveguide Mode
Isolation Layer